Respecting Wildlife

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For better or worse, much of the world we experience is dominated and controlled by human beings. We spend our days in houses, cars, and buildings, and inside these structures, we are in control. We assert our wills and manipulate our environment. Within the context of the human world, this is natural.

We often carry this attitude with us into the world of nature. We forget as we enter the forest, or sit on the edge of a pond, that we are moving into another realm, one that asks us to leave our baggage behind and surrender to a different sense of order and meaning.

We move from our everyday world into the world of Nature, we may not even notice it at first. We continue talking loudly into our cell phone or to a friend that is with us. We walk quickly as if we are on a busy city street, our eyes downcast, our thoughts hectic and hurried.

We may hear ducks calling, or wind moving through the leaves on a tree. If we notice the shift, we will naturally shift as well. If we don't we may get all the way through a beautiful park without having lowered our voices.

Next time you find yourself in the presence of wildlife-even if it's just a duck pond in the midst of urban hustle-try to move into a receptive state of openness and listening, no matter how much time you have. Allow yourself to be captivated and calmed by the energy of the wildlife that covers this earth. Teaching our children to be respectful of nature and to stop and observe is a gift they can always cherish.

We preserve the pocket of nature in our urban centers and large expanses of nature in our national parks because of the magic we feel in its presence. It reminds us of our smallness and calls us back to a deeper, quieter part of ourselves.

When we honor nature by being in its presence, we honor the mystery and wild beauty of our origin.

DAILY OM

The above art piece is from the RiverRock Wall Art collection. I wanted to reflect on the beauty of nature and the small critters that inhabit our surroundings. Peaceful, innocent, serene. This piece measures 14 1/2 x 9 1/2 and is priced at $45.00. This would truly compliment any part of your home and would also be a lovely gift for the animal lover in your life.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com

Indian Maiden Wall Art

Hi Everyone,

I’ve decided to expand my art work incorporating wood and rock. This particular piece of art of the Indian Maiden was painted on wood, measuring 10 ½ x 8 ½ and weighs approximately 13.2 ounces. This will be the newest of my wall hangings that will beautify any area of your home. I am also working on wall hangings that will be painted on wood incorporating a rock painting which will give the art form a 3 D effect. I love choices when shopping and I thought this would give you a variation when decorating your surroundings.

I found this poem that captivatingly fit the above picture I just painted. It reflects the beauty and innocence of a beautiful Indian maiden and embraces her nature and spirit. I hope you feel as I do that I have captured her true beauty and innocence and that you enjoy a wonderful piece of art that reflects the Native American Heritage.

Peaceful is the valley
where the Indian maiden walks.
In morning skies above her
a Raven soars and squawks.

The village of her people
lies quiet and serene
as her moccasins trudge narrow paths
through meadows lush and green.

She knows ancestral spirits
will protect her and will guide
as the trail leads her much higher
along the mountainside.

Gathering roots and berries
to preserve through winter’s cold,
the maiden sings of ancient wars,
of young men brave and bold.

She rests by flowing waters
as sunlight streaks her hair,
with fingers dipping in the brook,
wild creatures gather there.

The fox, the deer, the Antelope
join her without sound,
fearing not the Indian girl
sitting soft upon the ground.

The mighty oak she leans against
is losing leaves but strong,
and she feels at one with nature
while summer is now gone.

Fall colors fast surround her,
and she marvels at their hue,
as Mother Earth makes changes
for wintertime now due.

A butterfly lights gently
on her shoulder, quiet there,
and she wonders at it’s glory,
breathing softly, not to scare.

The geese on high are honking
as they pass in perfect Vs,
and she hears on withering flowers
the last hum of bumble-bees.

Soon the sweet young maiden
slumbers by the stream,
and rides her painted pony
in a soft and pleasant dream.

She crosses open prairie,
bareback upon her steed,
with a Brave she soon will marry
to keep the tribal creed.

A Blue Jay lands on oaken branch
and screeches overhead,
awakening the maiden
with visions in her head.

With heavy heart she rises,
returning to the band,
baskets of fresh berries
held tightly in her hand.

Plans for her tomorrows,
on other autumn days,
will be dreamed of in the future
as she sits on banks of clay.

Later ‘neath the quiet moon,
the family gathers ‘round
preparing beds on pine bows
strewn upon the ground.

Nestled in warm buffalo robes
beneath the starry skies,
with teepee for a shelter,
she again will close her eyes.

Poetry by Tamara Hillman Copyright 2003

Indian Maiden Wall Art
Size: 10 1/2 x 8 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

Travel Brings Us To Nature

We travel through Nature. We travel with Nature. We discover Nature, in its magnificence, in its brilliant, radiant message. In all of its rich and wild glory, we are overwhelmed in its presence. We are blissfully overjoyed.

We are Nature’s Witness

We encounter the power of nature, its awesome abundance and diversity. We experience its majesty, its splendor. Its enormity, scope, height, depth, expanse. Its hold on time, its permanence, and impermanence. Bastion of the secrets of time.We behold nature's hospitality, its simple nurturing. Providing us with what we need. The shade of its splendid branches. A warm fire. A cave in which to spend the night. Clear spring water. Fresh fish. We celebrate what we have. Plenty. Nature's caring hands. Travel’s watchful eye.

Nature stops us, obliges us to think, to ponder, to appreciate its inviting display. Nature forces us to acknowledge, value, love, treasure. Someone else's environment, someone else's landscape, someone else's garden. Somebody else's grand backyard. Our environment, our landscape, our garden. Our grand backyard. Nature is gratitude.

Travel’s Positive Power

In the course of my numerous wanderings, I have seen how travel has informed and empowered my life as well as the lives of my fellow travelers. I have witnessed the extent of travel's positive power, the magnitude of its enriching and healing capabilities. Beyond its refreshing and revitalizing qualities, travel has the unmatched capacity to be a wellspring of self-discovery and personal growth, a path to ourselves.

Travel is and will continue to be a powerful but precious gift. However, as worldwide travel increases, so do the pressures on both our physical and cultural environments. Continue to respect our world, its people, its places, its animals, and its landscape. Continue to respect nature. Continue to respect our differences. We owe that to ourselves, to each other and to the generations yet to be.

Whether we're traveling to the farthest corners of the Earth or to the next village, whether we're going for a couple of days or a year, the power of travel awaits. Make the time. Make the space. Live the power of travel.

Copyright © Steve Zikman

"There is no other door to knowledge than the door Nature opens; and there is no truth except the truths we discover in Nature.” --Luther Burbank

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Healing Mother Earth

We are very much part of the Earth, on a physical and a subtle level, so the health of ourselves and the Earth are very connected. The work we do with the Earth Mother helps us with our own healing and with the healing of those around us. Our bodies have meridians and an auric field, and so too does the Earth. The Earth's meridians are known as leylines or energy lines. These lines pass through sacred sites and places of power - energy vortexes which resemble the acupoints and chakras within our subtle body. These lines and vortexes are patterns within the Earth's energy field, which can be compared to our own auric field.

Earth healing is not about trying to heal a being that is much vaster than ourselves. It is about healing ourselves. All of us are, along with the animals, vegetables, minerals, liquids, and gases, a collective planetary being.

We can all be a part of that healing and by doing so, help in healing the Earth Mother. All that is required is your conscious, focused attention on healing. She will respond by expanding, becoming clearer and realigning. The work we do with the Earth Mother will often cause birds to sing where they haven't before. Vegetation will grow more, and there will be an increase in social harmony. Through focused thought or meditation, we can also radiate positive energies outwards to help uplift the consciousness of all beings - locally and globally. We can make a difference.

Please lend your energy by simply saying a prayer or focusing your energy on the healing of the Earth in general and specific sites in particular. Your intent to help is what is important.

Mother Earth is a wonderous and Sacred gift, so we must always remember to walk softly upon her, living in Balance with Nature…

This is my Hope

We must learn to walk in balance

sacred steps to take

Weaving peace and understanding

through all that we create

A tapestry of love and light

finest threads of gold

Sacred flame ever burning bright

through all that we behold

When we learn to walk in balance

the healing will take place

The healing of this earth our mother

the healing of the human race

A tapestry of love and light finest threads of gold

sacred flame ever burning bright

through all that we behold. -- Denean

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

How to Enjoy Nature through Art

I have always appreciated nature, my surroundings, and all the animals that I share this world with. Unfortunately, I didn’t stop and take time to just enjoy the beauty that surrounds me in my everyday life. Work, family, responsibilities, kept me on the move and somehow you just get wrapped up in this ongoing process for survival. I’m sure you can relate.

We do need to step back every now and then and just give ourselves me time. Time to relax, to enjoy what we have accomplished, and plan for future events that will give us satisfaction and self worth. Enjoy the beauty of Nature through books, your surroundings or a lovely painting.

I started painting because I loved to look at other artist paintings and admire their creativity and images that they so skillfully put down on canvass. I felt I was missing something by not taking the time to see if I to could bring out this magic in myself. Art is one of mankind’s healthiest inclinations, and one of our greatest attributes. Unfortunately, it is tucked away in our inner being and at times we hold it prisoner instead of letting the beauty around us unfold and come alive. I think there is an artist in everyone but we just don’t take the time to show our talents. Yes, having financial well being is a necessity but to really feel accomplished you need to find a satisfying outlet to bring out the real you. Don’t wait until you no longer have to worry about the mundane day to day projects. Take time now to nourish your inner self so when all the family is gone, work is no longer your main objective you will be ready to expand on all the me things you set aside.

I have been painting for less than a year and at one time stick people were a challenge. I found if I took the time to learn the art of painting I could find my niche. My creativity just seemed to flow. I have a long way to go since I’m self taught but everyday is a new learning experience. I live in Arizona and needless to say since it is all desert I am totally surrounded by mountains and rocks. A far cry from the California life I once had.

Mother Nature was so kind to give me the opportunity to see the canvasses she laid before me, and voila, I started painting on rock forms. River rock is the canvass I use to express my love for animals and nature. Everything can be painted in one form or another but I chose rocks since it is truly in abundance here. The picture of the Cougar Cub is a true reflection of how I feel about art and nature. I feel I have captured his innocence and beauty in the world that surrounds him. He is a gift of balance power, intention, strength and grace.

No matter what path you choose take time to relax, meditate, and engulf the beauty around you. It could be a book, it could be a vacation, or just that beautiful painting you just purchased. After all, there is truly an artist in everyone if we just take the time to smell the roses.

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/